burn process details, after dvd shrink (Senior Newbie)

I'm in my 60's, and don't really understand forums. I read the rules, but I'm terrified I'll break one without realizing it, and get banned.
My grandchildren keep destroying my DVDs. So now I am trying to make backups of them, and I'm just learning, but not sure I'm doing this right. I don't have Nero, so I use my Sonic DigitalMedia LE v7. I have DVD Shrink create the audio TS and video TS files. Here's the question: when I burn the backup to a blank DVD, do I do it as a data file or as a DVD video? What I've been doing so far is I simply save the 2 files to the DVD and burn it, and it seems to play okay in a DVD player. Is this the right procedure? Is there a better way?
BB

 

Try ripping your movies with DVDFab HD Decrypter. (free)
Then if needed use DVD Shrink.
Then burn with ImgBurn. (free)

But before you do anything, read this first.
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/673257

 

The process outlined by Dialysis is the way to go, especially if you want to ride the freeware train.

Another couple of things.

Make sure to use good quality blank media, like Taiyo Yuden (available online) or Verbatim for the best quality burns.

Burn between 6x and 8x max, without multitasking.

 

dialysis1 has it right all the way! And so does 7thsinger- "Make sure to use good quality blank media, like Taiyo Yuden (available online) or Verbatim for the best quality burns."<<<<<< This is very important!

 

Thank you all for your suggestions. I read everything at the links, too. I'm afraid I'm too confused by computers to start downloading even more programs, yet, so for the moment I think I'll stick to what I already have, until I'm feeling bolder. I usually use verbatim media and burn at 8x. However, no one has answered my primary question, about procedure. Data file?

 

you burn the Video_TS folder as a DVD Video file NOT a data file. heres a step by step guide for dvd shrink.

http://www.dvdplusvideo.com/Guides/How to Back-Up your DVD's using DVD Shrink.pdf

keep in mind dvd shrink won't handle alot of the newer movies being the program doesn't update anymore thats why we mentioned dvdfab decrypter(freeware) so if dvd shrink doesn't work you can rip the dvd with dvdfab decrypter first then use dvd shrink and burn. this link/thread may help also

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/622748

 

Burning as a data file works OK provided all initial protection has been removed.

 

Again thanks for the info. I read the DVD Shrink guide, and it's useful, but the steps end at the point of having rendered the files to the HD- there's no mention of what to do after that, except to use Nero.
LOL If you read the reply after yours, you'll note I got one vote for "yes, as data" and one vote for "No, not as data" This is confusing.
What I've done so far is simply copy to DVD as data, and it does seem to work okay on my budget DVD player. But I don't know if the DVD should be closed? Does it make a difference?

 

Not sure where you are at after the advice you received in the other thread: LINK, but I didn't want to leave you hanging here so feel free to post back here if you are still having issues.

 

Actually, I downloaded the programs, and I'm trying to work with them, but frankly, I'm having problems. DVDFab is working just fine, but IMGburn is NOT. Installing it got freaky, and it doesn't open automatically, like the other poster said it would, and the end product has the hiccups, though it may be simply cheap media. Let me keep trying, and see if I can work it out.

 

Media is extremely important, one of the most vital components of a quality, functioning burn. What media are you using? I take it from your statement that you are using Dvd Shrink and trying to autoburn with ImgBurn? Personally, I have never set mine up to autoburn. It doesn't take that much effort to open the program on your own and many times I don't do the whole process at once. I like to check the end product before burning, especially if I have altered it quite a bit. So the autoburn functioning should not be too much of a concern. However, you saying the installation got "freaky" concerns me little, perhaps you could elaborate a little on that. ImgBurn should be very user friendly and straight forward to use.

 

you will need this version of dvd shrink if you want to autoburn with imgburn

http://www.dvdplusvideo.com/DVD_Shrink_3_2_b_w_IB.zip

 

yes, I know media is an issue. The same brand has worked for me in the past, but as I said, that could be it.

I used DVDFab to remove protections, DVDShrink to reduce, and IMGBurn to burn. I don't care about autoburn, but I was told it would be automatic, so I saw it as a sign something wasn't right. There was no indication anywhere that it had any relationship with IMGBurn.

When I downloaded IMGBurn, it had DVDShrink in the folders. The readme was very sketchy. It said to install regular shrink, and then to stick the modified Shrink exe in the folder. It took me half an hour to figure out what the heck that even meant and which was which, since nothing said "exe" on it, and things were tucked away everywhere. (remember when I said I was a novice? This is exactly why I didn't want to download more programs!!!) When I pasted the program icon in the folder, the computer said it wouldn't do it unless I deleted the other one. I wasn't ready for that, and it spooked me to just delete something, like that, with no warning.

But I'm curious- how do you check the results, when it's an ISO image? 1bonehead said to save DVD movies as ISO images. When I looked at the one I had just saved, the ISO was a PowerArchiver file (that's the zip program I have). The readme said "Under Select backup target:, in the dropdown window select Create ISO Image file:, ISO Image File and burn with ImgBurn".

I have a feeling people are leaving out steps that they think are second nature, but unfortunately to me they aren't. I keep saying I really don't understand what I'm doing.

There are 2 things I didn't like about IMGBurn. It doesn't include an Audio folder, which I understood was necessary, for older DVD players. Also, every thread I've read says to burn 16X media at 8X speed. 8X is not an option in IMGBurn. One GOOD thing about IMGBurn- I discovered SoundTap Streaming Audio Recorder. While the trial version is useless, since it jams a "buy me, buy me" into the recording every few seconds, I'm delighted to have found something that works, and I may actually spring for the 20 bucks it costs. (Or perhaps you know of one you'd recommend?)

 

ZoSoIV,
Thanks for double checking, but I believe that's the one I used.

 

the audio folder is not necessary. the audio in the Video_TS folder.

are you sure we are talking about the same program? imgburn is freeware and it does audio CDs free also. make sur you have the right program download here

http://imgburn.com/

 

If you want to check your ISO, you can use DVD Shrink. Click on File and then on Open disc image. You can then select the ISO you want to see.
Now with ImgBurn you can have it 2 ways. You can burn the ISO or if you choose not to make an ISO you can just burn the files. Just go to the folder of the movie you want to burn and select the VIDEO_TS folder. This last option works when using ImgBurn only.

 

Yes, to both. I know that for practical purposes the audio is in the other folder, but I can't tell you how many times I've seen the caution both in threads here and in other guides, that both folders are needed, to make the DVDs compliant for older DVD players.

I'm not talking about making CDs. Soundtrap streaming audio recorder is an optional trial install that came with the basic free program. It captures, as a sound file, streaming audio from the internet, the stuff you can listen to but can never save (or at least, I could never figure out how. They never show up in the temp file).

 

Well, I'll be dipped!! You're right about checking the ISO- I just tried it. Thanks a ton.
However, maybe I'm remembering wrong, but I'm pretty sure I tried it with just the folders, and it wouldn't accept the files. But maybe I'm missing a setting, somewhere, that I need to change. I'll keep trying. Thanks for the info.

 

There must be something I'm simply not understanding here. Everyone keeps telling me I must close the DVD. If I have an ISO, IMGBurn will burn it and close it, when I select "Video DVD". Fine, great. But when I try to do that with audio or video TS folders, it rejects the process and switches me to a data disc again, which is what everyone is telling me NOT to do. Besides, this will not close the disc.
What am I missing, besides brains?

 

Read this:
http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?showtopic=4632